Repeating attachment for talking-machines



J. C. HITCHNER.

REPEATING ATTACHMENT FOR TALKING MACHINES.

' Patented May 4,1920,

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. J. C. HITCHNER.

REPEATING ATTACHMENT FOR TALKING MACHINES.

I APPLICATION FILED APR.26, 1917. 1,339, 199. Patented May 4, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

" "TTTTTT JOSEPH C. HITCHNER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

REPEATING ATTACHMENT FOR TALKING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1929.

Application filed April 26, 1917. Serial No. 164,613.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. HITCHNER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of. Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Repeating Attachment for Talking- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to a sound reproducing mechanism such as, for example, a talking machine, wherein a plurality of sound boxes are provided, which are adapted to alternately engage the same record in such a manner that simultaneously with the finishing of the last note of the record by one sound box, the-stylus of the other sound box will engage with the first note of the record.

With the above in view, my invention consists of a novel construction and arrangement. of a sound reproducing mechanism having a'plurality of sound boxes connected with the tone arm and provided with means to cause a sound box to alternately engage with the compression groove of a record at different points.

It further consists .of a novel'construction of a tone arm, a novel construction of a connection slidably mounted in said arm and operatively connected with the sound boxes, and novel means for arresting the movement of the tone arm at a predetermined point in the playing of the record.

It further consists of a novel construction of a stabilizer which defines the proper time at which the stylusof one sound box engages the record and the time at which the stylus of the other sound box disengages from the record.

It further consists of novel means for connecting the sound boxes and mounting them in the tone arm, whereby their relative adjustment may be effected, means being also provided for locking theparts in their adjusted position.

Other novel features of construction and advantage will hereinafter more clearly appear in the detailed description of my 1nvention.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompan drawings a typical embodiment of it wliie is "at present preferred by me, since this embodiment will give in ractice satisfactory and reliable results, it though it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of a talking machine, in conjunction with which is employed a repeating device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 represents in front elevation the repeating device and a portion of the tone arm.

Fig. 3 represents a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. i represents a vertical section, partly in elevation, on the line ie-4 of Fig.2.

Fig. 5 represents a vertical section on line 5-5 Fig. 1..

Fig. 6 represents a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the casing of a talking machine preferably of the internal horn type, apd in which is contained any desired type 0 motor for effecting the revolution of the respectively, which are adapted to alternately engage the disk record 3.

The front end of the tone arm 2 is con- .cave in vertical section, as illustrated at 9,

see Fig. 4, to receive and form a seat for the movable tubular tone member 10, which is provided atits upper and lower portions with the wheels 11, running on the rails 12 carried by the tone arm 2, so that the tubular member 10 is slidably mounted in the concave portion of the tone arm 2.

The tone arm 2 in horizontal section is enlarged as at 13 in Fig. 3 in order that a preferabl centrally located opening 14 in the mova le tubular member 10 will always be in communication with the tone arm irrespective of the position to which the tubular member 10 is moved with respect to said tone arm.

15 and 16 designate goosenecks consisting of substantially tubular members, the gooseneck 15 consisting of the members 17 and 18 and the gooseneck 16 consisting of the members 19 and 20, with the sound boxes 5 and 6 located at the outer ends of said tubular members 18 and 20, respectively. The inner ends of the tubular members 17 and 19 are adjustably secured to and are in telescopic communication with the tubular member 10. The tubular members 17 and 19 are preferably deflected as at 21 to form keyways into which the keys or ribs 22 of the tubular member 10 fit to hold the said members 17 and 19 against relative rotation with respect to the tubular member 10 and permit their relative adjustment to space the sound boxes from each other as desired.

This adjustment is provided for by an arrangement oftoggle levers consisting of a central toggle lever 23 pivoted to the tubu lar member 10 with said lever 23 in pivotal connection with levers 24 and 25, pivotally secured to the tubular members 17 and 19, respectively, of the respective goosenecks 15 and 16. When the styli of the sound boxes are located the proper distance apart, that is, in accordance to the impression zone of the record, the toggle levers are adapted to be held in a locked position by a lock nut 26 engaging ,the central toggle to prevent any movement thereof with respect to the tubular member 10.

The members 17 and 18 and 19 and 20 of the goosenecks 15 and 16 are retained in assembled position by a pin 48 on one member extending into a slot 49 in the other member, see Fig. 2, to allow 'for a vertical movement of the sound boxes 5 and 6 carried by the tubular members 18 and 20. This alternating vertical movement of the sound boxes 5 and 6 is facilitated by gravitation through the intervention of a stablizer 29 which consists of a stabilizer bar or member 30 supported and fulcrumed on a grooved wheel 31 journaled on a bracket 32 secured to the tone arm 2, while the outer end of the stabilizer member 30 is connected to the tubular members 18 and 20 of .the goosenecks 15 and 16 by the links 33 to effect the lowering and the raising of the sound boxes in the operation of the device.

The link connection between the ends of the stabilizer member 30 and the goosenecks 15 and 16 consists prefrably of links 33 provided with hooks 34 to engage in eyelets 35 to permit the stabilizer to be disconnected from the goosenecks 15 and 16.

The goosenecks 15 and 16 are oppositely disposed ifi relation to one another to afford the proper angle for the diametrically disposed styli 7 and 8 respectively in relation to the disk reco d and in accordance with the direction of travel of said record.

To insure the engagement of one of the reproducing styli 7 and 8, respectively, with the record at the proper intervals in the operation of the device, that is, the holding of one sound box in inoperative position while the other is in contact with the record disk, I provide the stabilizer bar 30 with shoes 36 and 37 having foot flanges adapted to engage and be supported at the proper time by the tracks 38 and 39, forming a part of the stabilizer bracket 46 which is fixed to the tone arm 2 in any desired manner.

40 designates a U-shaped rod secured to the tone arm and having its end portions 41 and 42 adapted to engage the stationary.

stops 43 and 44, respectively, secured to the top of the cabinet to limit the travel of the tone arm. a

In the operation of my invention the sound boxes 5 and 6 carried by the goosenecks 15 and 16 are adjusted the proper distance apart in accordance with the impression zone to be traversed by the styli 7 and 8, respectively, of the said sound boxes 5 and 6. The stylus 7 has been positioned in contact with the record at the beginning of the impression zone, and the other stylus 8 diametrically opposite the stylus 7 is located at the end of the impression zone and out of contact therewith. The sound boxes are relatively adjusted by means of the adjustable telescoplc connection therebetween.

The machine is now started and the stylus 7 in contact with the outermost convolution of the groove of the impression zone moves across said zone and the tone arm moves in unison therewith until the end portion 41 engages the stop 43 to arrest the movement of the tone arm 2, while the goosenecks 15 and 16 and the tubular member 10, which is slidably carried by the tone arm 2, continue to travel as a unit across the record. The shoe 36 of the stabilizer member 30 rides under the track 38 and the shoe 37 rides on the top face of the track 39, so that i the moment the center of gravity is passed on the balancing member 30 the shoe 37 will engage the track 39 to overcome gravitation of the sound box 6 until the said shoe 37 in the further movement of the repeater rides off the track 39 and the stylus 8 of the sound box 6 is automatically lowered into contact with the record at the outermost portion of the impression zone substantially diametrically opposite the startingl point of the stylus 7 to repeat the recor Simultaneous with the lowering of the stylus 8 of the sound box 6 caused bythe gravitation of the sound box 6, the stylus 7 on the sound box 5 is automatically raised out of contact with the record.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the sound boxes can be relatively adjusted so that they can be spaced the proper distance in accordance with the width of theimpression zone of the record so that at the same time the last note of the record is reproduced by one sound box, the other sound box is in the proper position to-reproduce the first note on the record, so that the reproduction of the impression on the record will be repeated.

In accordance with. my present invention, I provide a stabilizer which is constructed in such a manner that the last and first notes of the record will be accurately produced, and the stabilizer is constructed in such a manner that the time at which one stylus engages the record and the other stylus disengages the record is accurately determined.

My present invention is adapted to be employed in conjunction with records of the hill and dale type and also in conjunction with records having a laterally arranged impression groove.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful repeating attachment for talking machines, which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and whileI have, in the present instance, shown and described a typical embodiment of it which will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that this embodiment is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing an of its advantages.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with the tone tube, of a tube slidable in said tone tube during the playing operation, and in communication therewith, sound boxes operatively connected with said tube, means to effect the relative adjustment of said sound boxes with respect to each other in accordance with the width of impression zone of a record, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with a record at opposite portions of its impression zone.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with the tone tube, of a tube slidable in said tone tube during the playing operation, and in communication therewith, sound boxes operatively connected with said tube and laterally adjustable with respect thereto, means to effect the relative adjustment of said sound boxes with respect to each other in accordance with the width of the impression zone of a record, and means for alternately engaging said soundboxes with a record at opposite portions of its impression zone.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a laterally movable tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes arranged for operative engagement with a record disk, an adjustable tubular operative connection for said boxes and slidable in said tone tube during the playing operation, means to vary the longitudinal length of said tubular connection, means to arrest the movement of said tone tube, said connection being slidably arranged in relation to said tone tube, to slide therein when the movement of the tone arm is arrested, said sound boxes being rotatably mounted in respect to said tubular operative connection, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes, with said record disk at opposite portions of the impression zone of said disk.

4. In a repeating machine of the character described, the combination of a laterally movable tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes arranged for operative engagement with a record disk, an adjustable tubular connection for said boxes and said tone tube and slidable in said tone tube during the playing operation, said adjustable tubular connection being slidably arranged in relation to said tone tube, saidsound boxes being rotatably moun ed in respect to said tubular operative connection, a stabilizing member connecting said sound boxes and fulcrumed in respect tosaid tone tube, and means for controlling the raising and lowering of said sound boxes. v a

5. In a machine of the character described, th combination of a laterally movable tone tube, stationary stops cooperating with the stops on said tone tube, a casing, stops on said tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes. arranged for operative engagement with a recorddisk, an adjustable tubular operative connection for said boxes and said tone tube and slidable in said tone tube during the playing operation, means to vary the longitudinal length of said tubular connection, said tubular connection being slidably arranged in relation to said tone tube, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with said record disk at opposite portions of the impression zone of said disk.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a laterally movable tone tube, a casing, means for limiting the lateral movement of the tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes arranged for operative engagement with a record disk, an adjustable tublb lar connection for said boxes and said tone tube and slidably arranged in relation to the tone tube, said sound boxes being rotatably mounted in said tubular connection, a stabilizingmember connecting said sound boxes and movably fulcrumed in relation to said tone tube, shoes on said stabilizing member adapted to engage with a stabilizer track on said tone tube to allow for the lowering and raising of the sound boxes in'respect to the disk record at the proper interval.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes arranged 'for operative engagement with a record disk, a tubular operative connection for said sound boxes and said tone tube, said tubular connection comprising a central tubular member slidably arranged with and inrconstant communication withsaid tone tube and slidable in said tone tube during the playing operation, a plurality ofgoosenecks carrying the sound boxes adjustably Secured and in operative connection with said central tubular member, means to vary the relation between said goose necks and said tubular connection to adjust the distance between the sound boxes to conform to the width of the impression zone of the record, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with said record disk at opposite portions of the impression zone of said disk.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a tone'tube, a plurality ofsound boxesarranged for operative engagement with a record disk, a tubular operative connection for said sound boxes and said tone tube, said tubular operative connection comprising a central, tubular member slidably arranged with and in constant communication with said tone tube, and slidable in said tone tube during the playing operation, a plurality of goose-necks carrying the sound boxes adjustably secured to said central, tubular member and longitudinally adjustable therein, said goose-necks oppositely disposed in relation to each other to afford the proper angularity to the stylus of the respective sound boxes in relation to the rotation of the record disk, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with said record disk at opposite portions of the impression zone of said-disk.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes arranged for operative engagement with" a record disk, a tubular o erative connection for said sound boxes an said tone tube, said tubular operative connection comprising a central tubular member slidably arranged with and in constant communication with the front end of the tone tube and slidable in said tube during the pla ing operation, a pluralit of goose-necks a justably secured to an in constant communication with said central tubular member and longitudinally adjustable therein, said goose-necks consisting of tubular members rotatably fitted together and in communication with each other, sound boxes carried by and in communication with the outer rotatable tube members,

and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with said record disk at oppoportions of the impression zone of the 10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes arranged for operative engagement with a record disk, a tubular operative connection for said sound boxes and said tone tube, said tubular operative connection comprising a central tubular member slidably arranged with and in communication with the front end of the tone tube, a plurality of goosenecks adjustably secured to and in communication with said central tubular member, said goosenecks consisting of tubular members rotatabl fitted together and in communication wit each other, sound boxes carried by and in communication with the outer rotatable tubular members, a stabilizing member forming a connection between the outer rotatable tubular members of the goosenecks,.and movably fulcrumed in relation to the tone tube, shoes on said stabilizing member adapted to engage with guide members on said tone tube to allow for the lowering and raising of the sound boxes in respect to the disk record at the proper interval.

11. In a machine of the character de-' scribed, the combination of a laterally movable tone tube, a casing, stops on said tone tube and said casing to limit the lateral movement of said tone tube, a plurality of sound boxes arranged for operative engagement with a record disk, a tubular operative connection for said sound boxes and said tone tube, said tubular operative connection comprising a central tubular member slidably arranged with and in constant commumcation with the front end of the tone tube and slidable in said tone tube during the playing 0 eration, a. plurality of goosenecks adjusta ly secured to and in constant communication with said central tubular member, said goosenecks consisting of L- sha ed tubular members rotatably fitted toget er and in constant communication with each other, sound boxes carried by and in constant communication with the outer r0 tatable L-shaped tubular members, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with said record disk at opposite porj'ustment of said boxes with respect to each other in accordance -with the width of impression zone of a record, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with said record at opposite portions of its impression zone 13. In a machine of the character described, the combination with the tone tube having the front end enlarged in horizontal section and concaved in vertical section to receive a slidable tube, a slidable tube having a perforation in constant communication with said enlarged open end of said tone tube, wheels on said slidable tube, rails on said tone tube adapted to hold said slidable tube in operative engagement with said tone tube, and means for alternately engaging said sound boxes with said record at opposite portions of its impression zone.

14. The combination with the tone tube of asound reproducing mechanism, of a plurality of sound boxes operatively connected with and carried by said tone tube, a stabilizer member operatively connected With said sound boxes, means carried by said tone tube serving as a fulcrum for said stabilizer I member and across which it travels during the playing operation, and means to arrrest slidable in said tone tube and in constant communication therewith, sound boxes connected with said slidable tube, a stabilizer bar connected at each end with its respective sound box, and means connected with said tone tube to form a fulcrum support for said JELI'.

16. The combination with the tone tube of a sound reproducing mechanism, of a tube slidable in said tone tube and in constant communication therewith, sound boxes connected with said slidable tube, a stabilizer bar connected at each end with its respective sound box, means connected with said tone tube to form a fulcrum support for said bar, and means connected with said tone tube and cooperating with said stabilizer member to prevent a sound box being raised into inoperative position before the record has been played.

JOSEPH O. HITGHNER.

Witnesses:

, H. S. FAIRBANKS,

GHAs. W. BROOKS. 

